Local residents may need to start saving up nickels.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently authorized a public hearing on a proposed plastic bag tax, which would require consumers to pay 5-cents for every single-use plastic bag provided at grocery, convenience and drugstores in the county.
The City of Alexandria is also considering a similar plastic bag tax, which is expected to go before city council this fall.
Some exceptions to the charge in Fairfax County include the use of disposable plastic bags used to wrap meat, fish, poultry, produce, ice cream, bulk items or perishable foods to avoid damage or contamination, bags used for dry cleaning or prescription drugs and pet waste bags. Reusable plastic bags would also be exempt from the tax.
The purpose of the plastic bag tax is to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bags which pose a serious threat to the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), less than 10 percent of plastic bags are recycled. Most end up in landfills or as litter along land and waterways where they endanger fish, wildlife and humans.
If the proposed tax is adopted, stores would keep 2 cents of the tax until January 2023 when their share would drop to 1 cent. The remainder of the tax revenue would go to the county to fund four specific programs with environmental, educational and social impacts as required under Virginia law.
The Board of Supervisors public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Members of the public may speak at the meeting in person or on the phone or send written or video testimony in advance.
